PH internet, slowest in Southeast Asia

Although known to be as the social media capital of the world, the Philippines currently has the slowest internet speed in Southeast Asia.

According to a fourth quarter 2016 report by US-based global content delivery network, Akamai, the Philippines has the lowest average connection speed at 4.5 megabits per second (mbps) in the Asia-Pacific region.

The global rank lists the Philippines as 108th in terms of internet speed with IT powerhouse India at 97. Both countries are known as the top two Business Product Outsourcing (BPO) destinations.

Meanwhile, South Korea holds the top spot with an average speed of 26.1 mbps with Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan listed in the top 10.

China on the other hand ranked 89th with and average speed of 6.3 mbps.

The United States ranked 14th with a recorded average of 17.2 mbps.

Despite the results, the report noted that “there is reason for optimism” for the Philippines citing recent government efforts to address the problem.

It was in March when President Rodrigo Duterte approved a proposal to construct a national broadband network aimed to run online government services and to extend internet services in rural areas.The Senate has also approved a bill aiming to provide free public internet services and increase connectivity at an an average of 10 mbps. While Congress is scheduled to conduct plenary debates on enforcing free wi-fi in public place today.